Physical characteristic and in vitro transdermal delivery of PCL-A-PEG micelles containing quercetin and rutin

Abstract

In this study, we prepared polymer micelles containing quercetin and rutin, known as antioxidants, using poly(ε-caprolactone)-b-poly(ethylene glycol), and evaluated in vitro skin permeation of the active materials. Quercetin and rutin loaded micelles were characterized by DSC (differential scanning calorimetry), HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) and DLS (dynamic light scattering) measurements. The particle size of the polymer micelles increased in a concentration dependent manner (0.5-2.0% PCL-b-PEG). The Zeta potential of quercetin and rutin loaded micelles remained constant. To evaluate the skin penetration of PCL-b-PEG micelles, Franz diffusion cell experiment was performed. The aqueous solutions of quercetin and rutin were used as the control groups. Quercetin and rutin loaded PCL-6PEG micelles showed more efficient skin permeation than the control groups. Safety assessment (patch test) of quercetin and rutin loaded PCL-A-PEG micelles on skin was performed to test application possibility of the polymer micelles to cosmetics. Any adverse symptoms were not observed.